TerraCotta Kennels

WHAT IT IS.....

The Ridgeback Rodeo is a breed specific event which we attempt to hold once a year at TerraCotta Kennels on Scattergun Reserve property, usually at the end of July. It is for any and all Ridgebacks and their owners to enjoy. Ideally you will want to either camp or come in your motorhome so as to enjoy the whole experience. Otherwise, there are hotels and motels within about 15 - 20 miles. We offer most all things possible for Ridgebacks including agility, conformation, sheep herding, hunting, CGC testing, ATTS temperament testing, lure coursing and racing to name just a few. That combined with good food, good friends (new and old) and a fun, relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere make for an enjoyable long weekend with your dog(s). It is especially good for socializing young pups and learning all things Ridgeback. It's also all about fun as you can see from the header photo above of one of our hayrides! We hope to see you there with your new pup, your current pack, your show dog, your companion or your senior Ridgeback. They're all welcome!

RIDGEBACK RODEO 2013 INFO .....

Ridgeback Rodeo 2013 is over. All info from here down is from the 2013 rodeo. Read up and check out the photo links if you like, but at some point this will all change to 2014 info, or 2015 if we decide to go bi-annual.

The dates have been set and the plans are being made for Ridgeback Rodeo 2013. It's the last full weekend in July which is July 25 - 28. Check back often for updates and additions to the various events below. Scroll down towards the bottom of this page for some photos of rodeos past. If anyone would like to volunteer their expertise as an event manager at the rodeo, or if you have wares to sell, please get in touch with me at any time of the year. Use the contact page of this site. We are always looking for new faces, but we love repeat business too!

DATES, TIMES & REGISTRATION:Thursday July 25 2013Friday July 26, 2013Saturday July 27, 2013Sunday July 28, 2013Register as soon as you arrive!

COST : No cost to enter the rodeo this year, just entry fees for each individual event, which are listed on the entry form in the list above.

FLASH: THERE IS NOT ROOM IN THE LODGE FOR DOGS. MOST FOLKS LEAVE THEIR DOGS IN THEIR VEHICLES OR X-PENS OR COVERED CRATES WHEN THEY ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT. BRING SHADE AND SUPPLIES AS IF ATTENDING AN OUTDOOR DOG SHOW.

DOUBLE FLASH: CHILDREN ARE WELCOME, BUT THEY MUST BE ATTENDED AND UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES!! JUST LIKE THE DOGS!

DOGS MUST BE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN PARTICIPATING IN AN OFF-LEASH EVENT OR WHEN SUPERVISED IN A FENCED TURN-OUT (if available).

YOU MUST CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOGS!!

ENTRY FORM FOR RIDGEBACK RODEO 2013.....

Ridgeback Rodeo 2013 entry form is here.....finally!! It's the first form in the list below and is a fill - in PDF so I hope it works! Fill out the rodeo entry form along with any additional needed forms, add up your totals (check your math twice) and you can use the PayPal button below to pay. Just fill in the grand total for the Rodeo Entry item price and be sure to hit "update" when it takes you to the PayPal page, then email me the entry form as an attachment which is the preferred method. Or you can fax entries with credit card info to 814-587-2597 or send a check. My fax machine has been giving me fits though! Remember to make checks out to Scattergun Reserve this year, NOT TerraCotta Kennels! Email kalimba@windstream.net or call 814-587-3597 evenings after 7 or early mornings between 8 and 10 if you have any questions.

Entries WILL only be acknowledged by email so please include a legible email address!! Otherwise YOU will have to get in touch with me to see if I received your entry!

ATTS FlyerATTS flyer to print out for distribution at dog shows, dog clubs, obedience classes, vets or wherever else you can think so we get good attendance. Please help by passing these out.70.7 KB

AGILITY.....

We plan to have a complete Ridgeback sized agility course set up for your enjoyment for practice and run - throughs. Still looking for an agility event manager to keep things safe for the dogs, so if anyone is interested, please get back to us!

ATTS TEMPERAMENT TESTING (ALL BREED).....

The date is approved for Sunday July 28, 2013 for the all-breed temperament test. There is a 40 dog limit, so register early by July 12 for $35 and save money too! After July 12, entriy fee will be $40. Orientation is at 9am Sunday morning without your dog so be prompt.Please download this flyer and make some copies and take to your local dog clubs, training facilities or any attended shows and pass them out so we get good attendance:ATTS Flyer

The following is straight from the ATTS website:Because of breed-specific dog legislation and negative publicity associated with many breeds of dogs, temperament testing has assumed an important role for today's dog fancier. The ATTS Temperament Test provides breeders a means for evaluating temperament and gives pet owners insight into their dog's behavior. It can have an impact on breeding programs and in educating owners about their dog's behavioral strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a positive influence on dog legislation.

What is temperament?W. Handel, German Police Dog Trainer, in his article, "The Psychological Basis of Temperament Testing," defines temperament as:

"the sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment"

The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies.

The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.

Read all about the American Temperament Test Society at their website:

Entry forms MUST be double-sided on one sheet of paper and will be available on-site also.

ATTS is always looking for new testers. If you are interested and would like to get started in becoming an apprentice tester, go to the ATTS website above and fill out and send in the Apprentice Tester application well in advance and you would be able to apprentice at the rodeo.

CGC TESTING - NOW AN AKC TITLE.....

Joyce Lazell has offered to be one of our CGC evaluators at least on Saturday. CGC is now an official AKC title that should be a suffix to every Ridgeback's name on the planet! It consists of the very minimum of obedience skills that every dog should possess. Read all about the tests involved here: CGC - Canine Good Citizen. Joyce will need some help with some of the tests so please volunteer to help.

Karen Phillips, our AKC tracking judge, is also a CGC evaluator and can test your dog on either Thursday or Friday. She will also need some additional people to help with some of the tests, so please volunteer if possible.

HERDING INSTINCT CERTIFICATE.....

Kelly Malone is returning to the rodeo for her 6th year to head up our Herding event. Kelly has stated that our breed representation at the rodeo has at least as much and maybe more herding instinct than some AKC herding breeds! Kelly is an AHBA (American Herding Breed Association) judge and has German Shepherds. Let your Ridgeback show you his/her herding talents (or not!). This is always one of the bigger attractions at the Rodeo. It's great fun to watch and very interesting to see our dogs transform into a working dog right before our eyes. HIC certificates will be passed out for dogs that make the grade. This counts as a point towards a VC or VCX too! Kelly needs at least 10 dogs per day to make it worth her while, so sign up as soon as the rodeo entry form is available.

Due to the high cost of transporting a dog-broke herd of sheep, the entry fee will be $40 per dog for the HIC test or a private lesson. This is the advance entry fee. Day of rodeo gate entry fee will be $50. Friday and Saturday only unless there is big interest for Sunday!!

If your dog passes their HIC test, or already has their HIC, and Kelly thinks you are ready, she will give you and your dog a personal herding lesson for the same price and will show you how and where to go from here and how to advance in the sport of herding with your Ridgeback.

For more information about competitive herding events, go to the AHBA website or the AKC herding links below (but do remember that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not a recognized herding breeds ......yet! :

HRA (HUNTING/WAGON DOG TESTS & TRIALS).....

We plan to offer bird qualifiers and trials, game recovery tracking qualifiers and trials, small game raccon qualifiers and carriage qualifiers and trials.

These events will all have a fairly small limited number of pre-entries available so enter early if you want in. The events will be listed on the basic rodeo entry form and fees can be all inclusive and made out to Scattergun Reserve. A separate HRA entry form, available at the top of this page, must be filled out for each dog entered and each class entered.

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ASFA FIELD TRIAL/ LGRA RACE MEET.....

LARK (Lorain Area Racing Klub) will host a Ridgeback Specialty ASFA field trial here at the rodeo this year. This will be a first at the rodeo! For more info about ASFA (American Sighthound Field Organization) click here: www.asfa.org/. The date will be Saturday July 27, 2013. Download premium list with entry form here or from the list at the top of this page:

Please note all checks for these events must be separate from rodeo entries and made out to LARK and mailed to individual event secretaries. Read premiums carefully.

Amish neighbors taking hay off coursing field

AKC TRACKING.....

Karen Phillips will be back at the rodeo again this year offering AKC tracking certifications for those of you that are ready for this big step. Certs will be held very early on Friday at no cost and will be listed on entry form.

BONFIRES & GOOD FOOD.....

RAFFLE DONATIONS.....

We are soliciting raffle items or donations for the famous Ridgeback Rodeo Raffles and auctions held every year. We're hoping Kim Lucchini will come back this year to be our raffle queen extrordinaire. The rodeo raffles have raised between $600 and $1000 every year for Ridgeback Rescue or health and genetics. This year we will be donating to Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Inc. A gift or gift basket filled with stuff of any kind if you're coming to the rodeo will be much appreciated!

CAMPING/MOTOR HOME PARKING:There will be a fee of $5/night for camping of any sort this year to help cover costs. Fees will be on entry form. Plenty of room for self-contained motor homes, but a very limited number of electric hook-ups will be available, and will be on a first come first served basis, depending on who gets their entries and payment in first. Cost for camping with electric will be $20/night and will be on the entry form. No permanent water hook-ups, but plenty of free well water is available. Not much shade, bring your own. Outhouse will be available.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FOLKS NOT CLEANING UP AFTER THEIR DOGS. WE WILL HAVE "POOP POLICE"!

HOTELS/MOTELS:

DAYS INN600 Days Blvd., Conneaut, OH 44030(Interstate 90 exit 241 at Rt. 7)440-593-6000There are a very limited number of rooms that allow dogs in the rooms at this hotel. $10/dog pet fee last year. Lots of grassy areas to walk dogs, outdoor pool. 17 miles from Rodeo site.

DAV-ED MOTEL5750 State Rt. 193 at I90 exit 235, Kingsville, OH 44048440-224-1094Small town motel with about 16 rooms, one dog per room, $5/dog fee last year. 18 miles from Rodeo site. Outdoor pool, very reasonable rates.

GREENROOF INN8790 Meadville Road, Girard, PA 16417814-774-7072(5 miles north of Albion on Rt. 18)Read their pet policy. About 20 miles from Rodeo site. Here's their website:www.thegreenroofinn.com

SUNSET MOTEL13825 Ridge Road, West Springfield, PA 16443814-922-3550(Interstate 90 exit 3 PA-OH state line, north on Rt. 6N to Rt. 20, left 1/2 mile to motel)Book this one early as they say they fill up most weekends in the summer. Very reasonable rates plus $5 pet fee as of last year. Very nice per my husband, Eric. About 17 miles from Rodeo site. Website is: www.sunsetmotelpa.com

PLEASE RESPECT THE ROOMS AND GROUNDS SO WE CAN USE THESE ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE FUTURE!

RIDGEBACK RODEO 2009 PHOTOS.....

The 4th annual Ridgeback Rodeo official "candid" photographers were Carol Ann and Roy Brown from Canada. Check out their photos here: tinyurl.com/RR-Rodeo-2009

RIDGEBACK RODEO 2008 PHOTOS.....

We held our 3rd annual (and best yet) Ridgeback Rodeo the last weekend in July 2008. The photo collage at the top of this page (created by Marilyn Giesige) is from one of the evening hayrides. The Rodeo was a huge success thanks to all of the entrants, participants, friends, helpers, neighbors and family. I had no time to take photos, but thanks to some photographer/rodeo entrants, you can check out their photos through the links below and get a feel for the rodeo.